TUCSON, Ariz. – In its final tune-up before its home opener, Utah State softball (13-10, 0-0 MW) fell at No. 7 Arizona on Monday afternoon in Tucson, losing 8-0 in six innings at Hillenbrand Stadium.
 
The Aggies held one of the nation's top hitting lineups in check through the majority of the contest, but struggled to create opportunities at the plate as they were shut out for the first time this season. Utah State allowed just four runs through the first five innings, but a four-run sixth by the Wildcats ended the contest early. 
 
Arizona scored a run in both the first and second innings, including a solo home run during its first at-bat of the day, then an RBI single in the second inning to score a runner from second. After holding the Wildcats off the board in the third and fourth innings, Arizona used a single plus an Aggie fielding error in the fifth to bring two more runs across home. 
 
While the Aggies got runners on base in every inning except for the first, they were unable to string hits together enough to bring anyone around. After limiting Arizona to just four runs in the first five innings, a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth followed by an RBI single ended the contest prematurely with a run-rule victory for the Wildcats. 
 
In the pitching circle, Utah State utilized three different pitchers. Junior Emmalyn Brinka started and was awarded the loss after pitching 1.2 innings with two earned runs. Junior Carly Limosnero took the next 3.2 innings with four earned runs, before junior Rylie Pindel entered in the seventh to allow the final run of the game. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (13-10, 0-0 MW) will now host its first games of the season at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field this week, beginning with a single contest against Utah Valley on Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. The Aggies will then open Mountain West play with a three-game series at home against San Diego State from March 14-16. 
 
For more information on the Utah State softball program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUSoftball, on Facebook at USUSoftball and on Instagram at ususoftball.
 
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